Everyone needs a little encouragement when doing a thankless job, and Wikipedia knows it. The crowdsourced web encyclopedia counts on people to volunteer and edit the site. However, according to the 2011 survey of Wikipedia editors, editors feel that being looked down on by more experienced editors is the main reason that people stop editing. Wikipedia thinks these people just need a virtual high-five and, in order to help them get those, the organization is introducing a new WikiLove button to let users show their appreciation.

According to the Wikipedia survey, 78 percent said that having people compliment them on their edits or on their articles was the No. 1 reason that sparked them to edit more often. New users are receiving more and more corrections and criticism from other editors, and for those easily discouraged, it can deter them from further editing.

Wikipedia said in a blog post that WikiLove is “an experiment in appreciation.” When you visit a userpage or a talk page, you’ll notice a read heart icon on the left of the search box. This is where you can send your WikiLove to the editor. Clicking the heart button will give you a selection of awards. You can send barnstars, which is something Wikipedia already uses to reward its contributors for “hard work and due diligence.” Additionally, you can send little awards like beer, kittens, or “whimsical messages of appreciation to other uses.”

It’s currently only available on the prototype site, but WikiLove plans to launch on June 29 for the public, barring any issues that surface between now and then. The tool has a built-in feature that will allo Wikipedia to measure how effective it is. If you’d rather not receive these “rewards,” users will have the option to disable the WikiLove feature.